Key holder



J. MULLAN KEY HOLDER Filed Oct. 25, 1946 .Zf'fcs 3.

lnfleniur EDSEPH- Maz. LAN- Patented May 2, 1950 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE KEY HOLDER Joseph Mullan, Baltimore, Md.

Application October 25, 1946, Serial No. 705,783

1 Claim. l

This invention relates to keys for locks and more especially to an arrangement for containing and holding them conveniently in the pocket of the user, and at the same time capable of being brought into operable use.

It is the purpose of this invention to provide a new and improved key unit that will avoid one or more of the disadvantages and limitations of the prior art.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved key unit that will have its key arranged to quickly snap out of the lock it is used with into the hand of the user.

A further object of the invention is to provide a new and improved keyT unit that will be relatively compact and aiord a convenient and protective encompassment for the key when not in use and at the same time avoid damage to the pocket of the user.

Other objects will become apparent as the invention is more fully set forth.

For a clearer understanding of the invention reference is made to the appended drawings indicating a particular form of the invention by way of example, together with the following description thereof, while the scope of the invention is particularly pointed out in the claim.

In the drawings illustrating the particular form to be described herein:

Figure 1 is a longitudinal elevation of a key holder unit embodying this invention;

Figure 2 is a partial sectional view through the unit taken along the line 2 2 of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a longitudinal section through Figure l looking along the line 4 4; and

Figure 4 is a rear end view of Figure 1; and

Figure 5 is a front end View of Figure 1.

Similar reference characters refer to similar parts throughout the drawings.

The structure forming the particular form of the invention illustrated in the drawings, shows a casing I0, designed to internally take and hold a key I I ci the Yale type having an expanded head I2 of Octagon contour. The casing is preferably of cylindrical form and provided with lateral slots I3 in which the side portions of the head I2 can be guided between, throughout its travel from insertion to operable use. A cap It of open cylindrical form slides over the peripheral surface of the casing, and has a, flange I5 which is provided at its lower edge with slots it to align with the slots I3. The cap at its upper edge is provided with depending prongs 28 which ride in the slots I3 and prevents the cap I4 from turn- 2 ing. The caps interior Walls are slotted angularly to fit the key-hand I2.

The casing is also enlarged into a ilange at its lower end II and has an orice I8 faced across it to close it restrictedly. 'Ihe orifice I8 is made of a size and shape to conform with a transverse section of the key II to be used in the device, when it has projected the full operating length of its shank. The orifice sides I9 are ang-ularly cut to receive the octagonal contour of the key head. The rest of the casing in the vicinity of the orice is formed at 2U to receive a plural number of coil springs 2| which extend up to a pin 23 that is passed through the hole in the head of the key transversely to retain it in the casing. The springs tension against the pin underneath and force the round end portions 22 to ride in the grooves 24 arranged on the interior surface of the casing. A chain 25 extending transversely across the casing and looped over it, passes through the holes 26 provided in the wall of the casing. This chain prevents the key head from getting out of the chain casing, and also holds the cap I4 on.

The pressure of the springs on the key keeps it normally within the casing, but may be projected out through the orice by pressing on the cap and to do this against the resiliency of the springs. When in the lock and operably turned the key stays in place therein. When turned to removal position it snaps back into the casing out of the way. The arrangement is very compact and provides a neat holder for the key protecting it and saving the pockets of the user from being torn by the key.

While but one general form of the invention is shown in the drawings and described in the speciiication, it is not desired to limit this application for patent to this particular form or in any other way otherwise than limited by the scope thereof, as it is appreciated that other forms of construction could be made that would use the same principles and come within the scope of the appended claim:

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed is:

A key holder comprising an elongated. casingI open at one end and closed at its other end, said casing having oppositely disposed slots extending from the open end and terminating near the closed end for receiving and guiding the head of a key therein, the interior of said casing having oppositely disposed longitudinally extending grooves in the wall thereof, pin means .for insertion through an openingin the head of the key and guided by said grooves, compression 4 means disposed on opposite sides of said slots bearing against the closed end of the casing and REFERENCES CITED Said pin means to retract the key Within the The following references are of record 1n the casing when not n use, said easing having an fue 0f this Patenti orifice in the closed end for guiding the shank 5 UNITED STATES PATENTS of the key, a cap member slidably positioned on said casing and adapted to engage the head of Nlugsrg Mmeal Fegjtelgw the key for eJectmg the latter, and means ex- 2,076,895 Johnston Apr. 13' 1937 tending through the casingr near the open end.

thereof to retain the key Within, and the cap 10 member on the casing.

JOSEPH MULLAN. 

